Chrysalis

I knew that the Colony would make a move to conquer a portion of the third stratum, it's practically a requirement for us to grow enough that we will be able to survive, but I didn't think it was going to start this soon! Holy moly, they must have worked themselves half to death up there! Smoke is rising from inside the city already, I can only imagine that the fighting has begun!

[We need to get up there squad!] I holler at the others. [We need to hustle up the pillar!]

I immediately begin an all-out sprint in the hopes of joining the Colony in their fight as soon as possible. If they're going to take down a demon as powerful as Grokus, they're going to need the tier six firepower that my pets and I can bring!

[Perhaps it might be time that I offer my assistance?] Al breaks in, appearing beside me even as I sprint. [There is a faster way to reach the city. We can fly.]

[YOU might be able to fly,] I grate out, [but some of us aren't multi-dimensional beings of almost pure energy! I'm an ant who turned down wings when I evolved! Multiple times! I definitely cannot fly!]

The giant eye flickers.

[Ants can fly? Fascinating.]

[Not all of us and not all the time, but yes, there are ants that fly and IS THIS REALLY THE TIME?]

[Ah. It is not. I do not mean that you need to fly, but that I can create a force platform to carry us. I will likely need your pet demon to assist me to carry your combined weight, but I believe it will be possible.]

name is Invidia,] I point out, [he's not

[As you say.]

attention

Al is going to make a force platform, or something, and he says you need to help him out. Make it happen so that we can

[It shallll be donessssssss.]

disc of mana solidifies in the air before us. Scanning

manipulate this thing with your

it with so much mass standing on it will strain me greatly. With the assistance

then. On we go,

big ape and I move swiftly and jump onto the platform which immediately sinks a little under our weight. I shouldn't be surprised, the two of us combined must be well above ten tons. In fact, I don't want to know how much I weigh, I feel like it would be hard for me, a former

packed it'll all become. The weight to performance ratio will become insane. Well,

Since it probably is.

off the ground and the disc rises into the sky. Slowly at first, but with growing momentum, we float upwards towards the city above. It's a strange sensation and not a little unnerving to be honest. I can partially see through the disc, which doesn't help things. Luckily if I tilt my head back a

Smells like the Colony has subjected the city to a massive bombardment of acid to soften it up for the full invasion. What's more, the number of ants within range of the vestibule continues to climb the closer

flowing through me,

least, it feels

Mongi… guy. Let's call him Mongo. Both are tier seven, which is higher than us, if I need to remind you. When facing either of them, we need to proceed with extreme caution. Gang up on them. Kick them from behind. Strike from the shadows. I don't care what sort of nasty tricks

may be of some help in this,] the detached voice of Al